large_blogbanner8.png

medium_blogbanner8.png

small_blogbanner8.png

thumbnail_blogbanner8.png

blogbanner8.png

Covid has affected one and all in one way or the other. All age groups have been jeopardized but the major threat of its menace has been graver for the elderly. The truth is that the elderly section is suffering from the overall impact of the pandemic if not from Covid.

Aging is a natural process that arrives with many altering factors leaving you vulnerable and susceptible to several health concerns- both physical and mental. Aging is associated with progressive deterioration in the central nervous system (CNS) - it affects the immune system within the CNS making all elders prone to the SARS CoV-2 infection. Having Dementia in addition to this, only makes matters more complicated. Our blood-brain barrier (BBB) acts as a protective fence to prevent pathogens and toxins from entering our brain through the bloodstream. People with Dementia have an increased permeability in the BBB allowing certain bacteria or viruses to access the brain more easily.

Some (very) early studies have also revealed that the relationship between Covid and Dementia is interlinked- people with Dementia have an increased risk of infection and elders who suffered a prolonged Covid infection showed signs of cognitive impairment & confusion.

Handling Dementia and Covid together have been part of the Epoch homes for 2 subsequent summers now. With detecting, preventing and then managing the infection and it’s spread, it has been a huge individual-driven responsibility as we cater to the safety and care of dementia residents. We have managed all Epoch homes with the help of our emotionally and professionally trained nurses and care team.

Ensuring the safety of dementia residents in this current scenario has been quite challenging for us. Elders with dementia have difficulty in understanding (and remembering) the rationale behind masks, social-distancing, hand washing and other covid guidelines and protocols. The risk of getting infected is a constant responsibility, and the isolation after that has grave psychological impacts on their stage progression and overall well-being.

Among other things that take a toll is the whole distancing from their loved ones and families. For us, it is heartbreaking to see couples and children meet and greet from a distance. Our elders miss their warm hugs and struggle to relate to the faces behind the masks. Covid testing is more agitating because they do not familiarize themselves well with the RT PCR way. A blood test is more relatable.

At Epoch, we practice “good dementia sense” the crux of which is mainly to do with managing their emotions versus their cognitive health. As dementia progresses, factual memory slowly fades away while the emotional memory stays. Good dementia management is working on these emotional memories through means of (lots of) meaningful engagement and social activities. Our focus has also been on providing as much physical presence as could be. The feel of touch, gentle pats, soft strokes on their hands, and caressing helps them acknowledge assurance in the presence of someone. With the pandemic, practicing good dementia sense became next to impossible and we had to completely rewire our management strategy.

A routine for an elderly with dementia is as crucial as other aspects, and a caregiver plays a key role in assuring that this happens. Caregivers were counselled to stay with the dementia residents 24x7 so that the routine does not tamper. The team devised better ways to deal with Covid and its uproar. Ensuring that a single day of activity is not missed along with light exercises and strolls that are constantly checked. A structure is maintained and followed with discipline regarding their periods of sleep, meals, medications, and activities. These along with a tagged care staff are not disrupted. We figure out all creative ways to engage them, one being technology and its usage. Voice calls, video calls with friends and families have proven to be more beneficial during these times. It gives them a good sense of connectivity. They are taken out of the homes to the lawns or porch with complete precautions. What has also worked is creating mini bubbles inside our homes to help them socialize. These mini bubbles are groups of not more than 4 elders taken out at intervals to engage over chit-chats, meals, activities, rituals, and celebrations. Keeping them isolated can be a great way of preventing covid and its spread but finding a pragmatic approach, such as this, can be more effective. As a matter of fact, it balances everything in their lives.

Covid has been manageable for us to date in the sense that nobody faced a prolonged illness. What comes to me is the effort and work we do, and suddenly it appears again, for things to be started all over anew. Nonetheless, figuring out a sensible approach to make lives as normal as possible, although nothing seems normal, is our main objective.

With dementia, we need to remember that they live in their own world, their own bubble. They are partially connected with the present world. It’s up to us to fix their worlds with every possible way around. 

small_8.png

thumbnail_8.png

8.png

Epoch, covid & dementia

large_blogbanner1.png

medium_blogbanner1.png

small_blogbanner1.png

thumbnail_blogbanner1.png

blogbanner1.png

There’s the music of sarod playing in the background while I write this, helps me write my memoirs!

When I was a child, I used to write diaries. What’s enticing to me at that point in time was the smell of new vintage-looking pages, and a unique feeling to ink it down. It all started then. Who knew the passion for writing would grow so strongly on me!

Hi, I’m Sneha, Business Assistant & Content Writer at Epoch. Yes, I own these words and wear them with pride. The journey to earn this was pretty savage, and I’ll like you to be a part of this! Hence, sharing a page from my memoir.

It was the dawn of the year 2020 when I promised myself to come out of the University with a Mass Communication and Journalism degree in one hand and a placement in other. Things started turning upside down when the covid wave came along and washed away all the aspirations I had of starting my career in a corporate world. Later that year, after graduating, I started freelancing.

Little did I know that the universe had something else up in its sleeves.  On 1st Feb, I started my journey at Epoch, and it’s already a year now! I’ll need pinches from myself to believe so. When I stepped out of my comfort zone, came to a new city, I met amazing people, especially women, who inspired me in the most unusual ways. It is my sheer luck and fortune that I landed in Epoch right after college. The journey of amazement and learning didn’t stop for me, I would say.

How often does it happen that a CEO of an organization holds your hand, mentors you, and walks you through your journey? Well, happened to me and to all those who started anew! Here, at Epoch, I saw myself under the guidance of domain experts. From each one of them, I learnt something, both applicable in personal and professional lives. My team pushed me one notch beyond my threshold, surprisingly that brought different colours to my work. To date, I am told to be the owner of not only my projects, but also my decisions, successes, and failures. I am learning.

Epoch has played a vast role in shaping me into Sneha 2.0. If you know me and don’t believe, let’s go out for a cup of coffee! A confident and radiant Sneha, you’ll see.

Epoch homes abode elderly those who need dementia care and assisted daily living support. When I started, I was briefed about dementia but the understanding of the daily life of a senior 75+, came to me when I was in their presence. Recently through one of the Epoch webinars, I heard a doctor/geriatrician say, and I quote, “there’s a person still behind the dementia patient”, and this made me realize how naïve are we to not notice this in our elderly loved ones!

Amidst the pandemic, there were fewer interactions with our elderly residents, regarding their own safety. But whenever I got the chance, covered in PPE kit, I would jump to know each one of them. With some I sang era old songs, with some I recited poems of Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Dinkar, Nirala, with some I learnt the concept of perspective, with some I learnt fashion, some taught me to live life with a bang, and that’s what I am doing!

Epoch in a way turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I would like to stop the roller coaster of my emotions here by simply being grateful. One day, when I close my eyes, I would love the memories with Epoch to roll in the cassette of my life. 

small_1.png

thumbnail_1.png

1.png

To Epoch, a cassette of my life

large_blogbanner2.png

medium_blogbanner2.png

small_blogbanner2.png

thumbnail_blogbanner2.png

blogbanner2.png

I want to share my unique professional journey with you. Personally, I have been someone who is always up for trying new things.

In August 2014, after completing my training as a General Duty Assistant, I got placed at Epoch Elder Care as a care attendant.  Even though I had prior care training, being a care attendant in an assisted living home was new for me and there was much to learn, especially about dementia care. At Epoch, everyone is encouraged to ask questions whenever they do not understand, your colleagues and seniors will answer them patiently and help you understand your issues. I realised how tough life can be with dementia and at Epoch I was able to increase the quality of life of elders with dementia and this was very satisfactory for me. 

Given my inclination to try new roles, back in 2018, I was chosen for the role of Admin Assistant which was a huge change for me professionally as I was moving from  care to an administrative role. With much support of senior colleagues, I was able to manage this role with confidence. Here I learnt new skills like vendor management, maintenance planning, and working with multiple departments. Being an ex-care attendant, I was able to understand the importance of this role where I had to ensure the upkeep of Epoch homes and how crucial it was for our care attendants to take care of our residents. Iss dauran maine apni life ko bahut hadd tak personally, professionally and financially grow bhi kiya hai (During this time, I was able to grow personally, professionally and financially). 

Then in January 2020, I saw an opportunity to move to a new role within Epoch as a Human Resource (HR) assistant and I confidently took the leap. Given my prior experience as a care attendant, I was quickly able to connect to prospective candidates for Care Attendant role and understand who could be a good fit at Epoch, and I learnt the aspect of people management. Ab dedication and guidance of my manager and colleagues ke sath grow kar raha hun or hope aage bhi yun hi grow karta rahunga. (With the dedication and guidance of my manager and colleagues, I am learning & growing  ,and will continue doing so!)

Thanks to Epoch, I have been able to understand this industry well and grow myself professionally in many different perspectives by gaining many new skills.

small_2.png

thumbnail_2.png

2.png

Trying new roles and gaining new skills at Epoch

large_blogbanner3.png

medium_blogbanner3.png

small_blogbanner3.png

thumbnail_blogbanner3.png

blogbanner3.png

I want to share my journey so far with Epoch Elder Care. I started my journey as a care attendant with Epoch’s Monet house at Pune location on 15th May 2016 and sab kuch naya tha mere liye (everything was new to me). It was a great year well spent at Monet house; and bohot kuch sikhne ko mila (great learnings came along). Under the guidance of our Facility Managers and Facility Nurses and other care attendants, I was properly trained to look after our residents. Epoch work culture bohot welcoming and unique tha mere liye (Epoch culture was welcoming and unique for me) - where the team was great & they treated me like a family member. Not only this, the relationship and bond I developed with residents was an amazing feeling. The concept of dementia and its management was something jo mujhe dhire dhire samajh aya. (The concept of dementia and its management was something I learned over a period of time).

After the completion of one year, the management decided to transfer me to Epoch’s other home (Vermeer House) in Gurugram. I was happy with the decision for two reasons. Firstly, my learning was about to expand and secondly, my hometown was nearby. After working as a care attendant for a year and a half at the Vermeer House, the management decided to promote me to the role of Head Care Attendant. Finally, my dedication & honesty paid off. My responsibilities increased and I had to oversee all errands related to our residents, other care team members, and the house overall, which I enjoyed throughout.

Then again on 1st May 2019, I was offered a role change based on my skills and eagerness to work. This time the management decided to offer me the role of Admin Assistant, which I accepted confidently. It was challenging at first, but with the constant guidance of the then corporate team, I managed with quite ease.

Epoch has not only helped me professionally but also personally. It is here that I met Sarita (Care Attendant at Vermeer House), married her and started another chapter of my life. She is always there to support & motivate me. 

During the outbreak of COVID-19, around Feb 2020, I was handed over the role & responsibilities of an Office Assistant in the new Vermeer house at Gurgaon. Covid ke first wave me hume bohot kuch naya experience karne ko and samajhne ko mila. Ye time humare liye bohot difficult tha but hum sabne milkar Epoch and ek doosre ko sambhala. (New learnings came along whilst managing and experiencing the first wave of coronavirus. It was a difficult time, but we managed to pull through). I was presented with the COVID warrior award. Epoch ke saath ab itne memories jud gaye hain ki yahan har koi apna sa lagta hai. 

Epoch me hamesha kuch na kuch naya sikhne ko and samajhne ko milta hi hai and mere liye bohot unique experience banta raha hai.

small_3.png

thumbnail_3.png

3.png

My journey of multiple roles at Epoch

Covid has affected one and all in one way or the other. All age groups have been jeopardized but the major threat of its menace has been graver for the elderly. The truth is that the....

Epoch, covid & dementia

Neha Sinha , Co-Founder & CEO, Epoch Elder Care Dementia Specialist

About us

Our care & services

Library

Contact us